Hey y’all!! I’m a proud new owner of a stock 2012 S coupe. First mini for me and fell in love on the test drive. This will be a daily driver and will have my business logos installed on it so don’t want any over the top exhaust mods, but what would be the first mid to consider to add to this already very fun car?

I’m thinking JCW booster or JCW intake. BTW took this car to the dealer for service and drove home a brand new loaner, (2019 JCW 4 door S R56?) and I swear my S Coupe has more juice!

 

Rear sway bar

 

+1 on the RSB, THE best bang for the buck. At the minimum, a 19MM adjustable, the difference in handling is like night and day. Don't waste money trying to add a handful of HP. As a wise old track burner once said: "If you can't go fast with 90 horse power, 900 won't help you."

 

Agree with above and at the same time strut bar.

 

thanks, can you clarify “strut bar”?

 

I love hearing the turbo and intake noise of an aftermarket intake. Im fully aware that there are no performance gains, and perhaps even some decreased performance when sitting in traffic. BUT, I love that noise!

 

Agree. My actual first mod was a blow off plate

 

Strut bar or a strut tower brace is a under bonnet bar that ties the top of the strut towers together to make the front end stiffer. It really does make a difference.

 

Thanks for the education, I’m a total newby here. (Obviously) I think I have a loose front strut mount, probably front strut sway bar is the thing to do while exposed... the rear sounds easy enough if I can get the car lifted... is the front as simple? I imagine it’s much harder to address?

 

This may not be a mod, but how are your tires?

 

Tires have lots of life, relatively new, (not stock).i need to double check the size, they seem a bit small.

 

What’s the consensus on tire spacers. I have a buddy who spends lots of time on the track, and he said spacers are “no bueno”.

 

I don't see a problem, as long as you don't go toooo thick. Also, make sure you get the correct bolts with them.

 

I'm another vote for rear sway bar. The only mods I've done to my R58 JCW are a rear sway bar and a JB+. I wouldn't have even done the JB+, but I had it laying around from my old clubman. Better to plug it in than let it collect dust.

 

Do you notice a difference with the JB+? I am thinking about getting one. Also any suggestions on a good rear sway bar?

Thanks

 

I have a JB+ on N18 engine since new on a JCW and it is an outstanding performance add-on without messing up with the ECU. I never removed it for service and never had warranty problems. This is the easiest way to get a 20HP increase from stock with a 30WTQ.

 

If you are looking for power a tune will be the best bang for the buck
https://www.waymotorworks.com/manic-...-cooper-s.html

If you want handling a rear sway bar would be the best bang for the buck
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-rear-sway-bar.html

And one other great cheap but good improvement is the lower engine bushing insert
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...unt-large.html